ABSTRACT
The past decade, and specifically the past few years, have been truly momentous for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) community and its efforts for equality, often called the gay rights movement. But these achievements do not erase longstanding and deeply entrenched homophobia, bigotry, and the disparate treatment and hostility faced by many LGBTQ people. In particular, families, schools, and churches—the very institutions expected to offer people support—can be minefields for LGBTQ youth. This chapter includes brief definitions of relevant terms, as well as historical, political, and socially traumatic issues affecting LGBTQ youth. General steps all educators can take to better support LGBTQ students are followed by those more specific to art educators. The potential of the art educator is explored through suggestions for art-making as activism, art as individual expression, of challenging the status quo, and of finding value, beauty, and strength in diversity, fostering LGBTQ youth resilience. Resources helpful to all educators are also included in this chapter.
